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Fifth Team

Bec 5 v Nomads 6

Coaches Report:

The late afternoon fixture against Nomads was a physical affair. Bec 5 were much changed from the last match against Nomads 6 with Josh Brown stepping up to make his competitive senior debut. Bec put themselves in the driving seat with a 3 goal lead, but a series of defensive lapses from across the team allowed Nomads to get back in the game and take a 6-5 lead. Bec would not give up or be intimidated by the oppositions physical play and kept going. Late goals from Claire Synott and Josh Brown brought home the points much to the coach's relief.

MVP: Claire Synott.

Match Report:

Bec 5 headed down Epsom for a late afternoon game on Sunday 6th December. Captain John Wilson started in attack with debutant Josh Brown and Bec 5 stalwarts Claire Synott and Anshul Mahra. In defence, David Paton lined up with Chris Kennedy, Ruth Farrar and Vicky Dawkins. Bec got off to a great start, going 3-0 up with distances shots from John Wilson and Claire Synott, followed by a free pass from Chris Kennedy. Nomads then proceeded to get back in the game, until Anshul restored the 2 goal cushion with a shot from the side.

Nomads scored another 2 to take the scores level. John Wilson scored a controversial distance shot as his defender was nursing a knocked face. John hadn't noticed and was caught up in the excitement of the game and offered to have the goal wiped from the scoreboard. The referee, after consultation with the Nomads player involved let the goal stand. Nomads then got another brace and Bec looked like they were going home empty handed. One of the Nomads defenders went off injured and Bec capitalised with the extra man. Claire Synott got a middle distance shot and Josh chipped in with the last goal of the game. The crowd of Bec supporters went wild and the long journey home was made sweeter.

Goals: John Wilson (2), Claire Synott (2), Anshul Mahra, Chris Kennedy, David Paton, Josh Brown.

First win of the season.

Bec 5 recorded their first win of the season, beating Nomads 6 10-4.

The team was changed from last week with last week's male subs James Medhurst and Stuart Ironmonger starting together in attack with Claire Synott and Anshul Mahra. In defence, Captian John Wilson lined up with Sean Fellows, Claire Saunders and Vicky Dawkins.

Bec started strongly, with Stu Ironmonger getting a little goal under the post and James chipping in with a 4m distance shot. After the swap, Bec increased their league further with Claire Saunders scoring a distance shot and Sean Fellows getting the first of his three runners. Nomads got back in the game, before John Wilson slotted one in off the back. With the score at 5-3 it was important to do the simple things well and take the game beyond Nomads. Bec went on to score another 5 goals without reply, with Sean getting another two runners, and Anshul chipping in with a brace, before Nomads got a consolation goal at the end.

Final score 10-4.

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Bec 5 took on Nomads 6 at Ernest Bevin on Sunday and showed the progress that they have been making by recording their first win. Bec started strongly, with Stu getting a little goal under the post and James chipping in with a 4m distance shot. After the swap, Bec increased their league further with Claire Saunders scoring a distance shot and Sean Fellows getting the first of his three runners. Nomads got back in the game, before John Wilson slotted one in off the back. With the score at 5-3 it was important to do the simple things well and take the game beyond Nomads. Bec went on to score another 5 goals without reply, before Nomads got a consolation goal at the end. Nomads simply couldn't deal with all our shooters with goals from all over the team. MVP: Sean Fellows who chipped in with 3". - Liam

Final score 10-4 win for Bec 5

First point for Bec 5

So… we were the last of the Bec teams to play in the big ‘Bec Yellow Sunday’ and were excited at playing at our home venue; Earnest Bevin College against Nomads 5.

Starting line-up was Chris Kennedy, Claire Saunders, Dave Paton and Clare Welsh in attack and Sean Fellows, John Wilson, Claire Synott and Anshull Mahra in defence. With Liam’s advice ringing in our ears to “KEEP IT SIMPLE” we started in style with a goal from Dave off the back and were in good spirits that we were going to run them out of the park. In the midst of massive cheers and ‘whoop whoops’ from the Bec supporters, we pulled away to 3-1 after Claire Synott took an impressive long shot and Anshull scored from distance. After some confusion about where the side-lines were and their players crossing the half-way line they levelled at 3-3.

Vicky Dawkins, Stu Ironmonger, James Medhurst and Ruth Farrar were subbed on during the second half and we began to regain our composure. After speedy legs from Anshull and a bit of flare from Stu we made Liam happy with a 5-3 score line. All we needed to do was keep it safe and steady, but sadly they came back to level just before the whistle to make the final score-line 5-5.

Thoughts after the match were “things can only get better”…. and a little celebration was in order for Bec 5’s first point of the season!!!

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All that's missing is the goals

Bec 5 headed to Addlestone to play their second match of the season. A great performance was marred only by the fact that the opposition scored more than us. An improvement on last week, and Bec 5 are definitely on a trajectory that could win us the league.

Bec 5's first game had been tough, but promising. The yellow peril peppered supernova's basket all game, but like a toy in a grabbing machine at a fairground, it just would not drop. Maybe this weekend against Woking.

The team welcomed new recruit Sean Fellows and Bec stalwart Claire Saunders into the division with Charlotte Goodrich and James Medhurst. The other division was largely unchanged from last week, with Captain John Wilson playing with Claire Synott, Anshul Mahra and Simon Maskell. The game started slowly, with both teams trading attacks but not goals. Bec had the better of the attacks but Woking scored two in quick succession. Claire Synott immediately got one back, but Woking restored their lead to two with a running in shot. Woking took the score to 4-1 before Sean Fellows drained a long shot from distance and Simon Maskell dropped one in from the back of the court.

Having got back in the game, Bec set about making it more exciting for their coach by conceding the next 3 goals. Woking were 7-3 up with about 15 minutes to play. A change was needed and Claire Welsh got her Bec debut, on for Charlotte Goodrich. Bec continued to shoot and were rewarded with some goals. John Wilson took advantage of a mix up round the post to score a little shot, Claire Synott got a running in shot and James Medhurst dialled in with a trademark long bomb. The corner had been turned and Bec were within touching distance of a draw.

Mistakes from both sides led to the exchanges of possession without shots, but in the dying minutes Woking scored to take it to 8-6. Time ran out and an excellent performance was rewarded with a long journey home without any points. Next time.

goals: Claire Synott (2), Sean Fellows, Simon Maskell, John Wilson, James Medhurst

 A Promising Start to the Season

Bec 5 started off the season with an away trip to Supernova at their new venue in Pimlico - a much better venue than Latchmere. Bec were hoping for the win, but Supernova 3 had a number of very experienced players playing in their 3rd team and a win would be immense.

Bec set out with David Paton, James Medhurst, Kate Vickery and new signing from Bristol University Charlotte Goodrich in attack and Claire Synott, Anshul Mahra, John and Jack Wilson in defence. Bec's tactics worked well, the attacking division created chance after chance after chance, and the defence held their ground. The problem was the final furlong, with Bec's many shots failing to kit home. The teams went in at half time, level, at 0-0.

Shortly after the second half, Supernova got the first goal after an interception from a Bec attack. Being a goal down fired Bec up and Kate Vickery opened her account for the season with a shot off the back. Supernova quickly got a goal back with a little shot under the post and Jack Wilson responded almost immediately with a long shot. Supernova scored the next 4 and Kate Vickery scored a little goal off the back for consolation.

A good start to the season, if a disappointing result. Shooting practice on Wednesday and roll on Woking 2.

 Crispy Creme donuts, cling film and chips

Bec 5 – A team with a never say die attitude.

08/03/2009

Bec 5 turned up to Graveney for their game against Highbury 4 but had to immediately forfeit the game, too many injuries meant Bec 5 were short and called on some of the players from the rest of the club. Unfortunately coach Liam, Johnny and Grant were caught in the wilds of South London. Did they give up? Did they lose team spirit? Of course not! They are a Bec team. Craig took over coaching and organised every Bec player in the hall into action. So the teams started as

Attack: Craig, Dave, Ruth F, Kate
Defence: John, James, Jo C, Jo W

Immediately Bec 5 went all out, the attacking end obviously had the legs on their defence and started playing the ball around quickly. The first goal came very quickly, Dave rebounding well as Craig took three veer shots with the third hitting the goal. The defence fought hard although with two strong, tall boys it was going to be a challenge for the Bec lads. The end fought hard and right away the Jo-Jo combo worked supremely hard on their front defence and didn’t give their girls many chances. However, Highbury did get the better of them to go 1-1. Very quickly Highbury scored another and spent their time defending Bec hard. However they didn’t bank on John Wilson…a drop off shot under the post, fresh from training the week before scored a great goal to pull things level. The rest of the half saw Highbury put in three goals to take an artificial lead that was maybe a bit undeserved.

Half time and the guys arrived, the spirit was still high – the crowd (which had swelled to double the size by now and getting rowdy) lent their support – Craig was convinced Bec could pull it back and the rest of the team came out fighting in the second half. The fourth teamers took their bow with Johnny coming on for John, Grant on Dave and Kitman for Kate. Straight away Bec starting pummelling the Highbury goal but struggled to get the goal in. Strong defending by Craig, Grant, Kitman and Ruth meant every Highbury shot was rebounded and the girls stopped the Highbury ladies from getting a sniff of the basket.

At the other end Johnny had his own Eastern European battle against the talented Hungarian of Highbury and he had to utilise the Weeksy headfake (patent lawyers are already looking at the trademark and Craig is looking for reparations for its use). Jo Cattini fought away from her girl and scored a rainbow shot under the basket which fell in to loud cheers in the hall. Craig and Grant, the first time the duo had played together started using their height and speed to push their boys but it was a darting run by Kitman, seen by Grant that brought Bec to within one. The other end defended hard with Johnny and James battling with their guys and the girls giving some their best front defence. Bec then attacked again and Grant drew the two defenders on to him giving the ball to Craig dropping off at the back and Craig popped it in. A happy return to games for Craig.

What would happen now? Would Bec hold on for the draw? Of course not, the other end fought hard and when Johnny’s big shot left his hand it was bound for glory. The goal went in, the other end defended and the very chirpy ref blew his whistle to end the game. Bec 5 won the second half 4-0 and the game 6-5.

Although a strong team, credit goes to the Jo-Jo combination for their combined defence and strong attack, to James for making himself available from a tall defender and to Ruth F, who hadn’t played for a number of months but came in, defended hard and was a key part in the goals scored in the second half. Welcome back Ruth.

So Bec 5 learnt the value of a never giving up and pulled it back with skill from all those playing. No points, maybe, but a definite good performance with some great play.

Last minute winner for Bec

15/02/2009

Following their last meeting with Woking where the score did not reflect the closeness of the match, Bec 5 travelled to Addlestone determined to come away with a victory.  The team lined up with Jay, James, Laura and Claire in attack and with John, Dave, Kate and Jo in defence.

Woking put themselves onto the score sheet quickly with a goal within the first few minutes.  They followed soon after with a second goal which put Bec on the back foot, but fired up to pull back the score.  From then on, Bec seemed to hold on to possession of the ball.  They were organised in attack, recycling the ball successfully - largely due to some great rebounding by Kate and by Jo.  Unfortunately, Jo had been feeling unwell all morning and eventually had to leave the game about half way through the first half.  Luckily, Kitman was there to take up the reins.

Bec continued with a strong attack (broken at some point by half time!), peppering the basket with shots and recycling the ball, but just seemed unable to score.  Finally, Dave broke the stalemate with a running in shot and Kate put in another runner to even up the score 2 - 2.

Jay put Bec one ahead again with a cheeky short shot from the side of the basket, only to be answered by Woking drawing the score even.  The game continued with Bec seeming the more confident of the two teams and Woking showing signs of frustration at not being able to keep hold of possession. 

Not long before the end of the match, one of the Woking players ran for the ball, not realising she had crossed the centre line and collided with with John.  The collision left them one player down and John with blood running down his face from cuts on his forehead and under his eye.  Trooper that he is, he was determined to carry on and had to be persuaded to leave the game even to stem the flow of blood.  He returned a few minutes later with a headband as a makeshift bandage around his nose, making it look as though we'd recruited the invisible man to make up numbers in the team.

The excitement didn't end there.  With seconds to go, the score was still 3 - 3 when Dave put up another short. In true cheesy sports film style, it dropped through the basket a second before the final whistle sounded.  Final score 4 - 3 to Bec.

The final words go to Kate, who summed up the match with 'I quite enjoyed that!'

In the absence of photographs of the match, here's an action sketch provided by Jo.

Almost but Not Quite

On a day on which the other four Bec teams all won, the fifths did not quite manage to make it a clean sweep. However, this was a good performance against a Woking 2 team, several of whom played for Woking 1 against Bec 3 later in the day. Save for Liam and a returning Dan Brooks, the Bec players were less experienced than their counterparts from Surrey, with five having made their debuts for the club this season. The first lesson I learned that day was to always check the times of matches carefully, with the consequence that I arrived ten minutes after the game had started. Thanks to John Wilson for taking my place. He started the game in first attack with Liam, Donna Holland and his daughter Jo. In the other division were Dan, Tim Bywater, Ellie Lanning and Roxanne Knight. This was a big day for Ellie, who is quickly developing into the club physio, applying her magic sponge to Matt Pulford after he experienced an ankle injury playing for Bec 4.

Liam gave Bec the first goal but Woking came back to lead 2-1 by the time I arrived at Graveney. There followed a long period where both sides were finding it difficult to break the other down but Woking broke the tension with a third goal, some ten minutes after their second. After the change of ends, I partly redeemed myself for my lateness with a goal from mid-range but my defending was not quite good enough in the first half against a fast player and he took advantage. Woking rattled in three goals to make it 6-2. Liam then scored from close to the halfway line to reduce the deficit but Woking scored again to restore their four-goal advantage. Bec were looking out of it.

Then the comeback began. Bec started to improve their defending and there was great collecting from Jo Wilson. This then allowed Dan Brooks to score two goals in a row, a runner followed by a sneaky shot from under the post. Donna Holland also scored a magnificent first competitive goal for Bec to make it 6-7. The momentum was with the yellow shirts and victory looked possible for the first time in the match but, unfortunately, it was not to be. Woking scored two more to regain a three-goal cushion and another running-in shot by Dan at the end was simply too little too late. There was not enough time remaining to complete the comeback although there was a sense that it would have happened if only the match had been longer. Although Bec 5 cannot boast of being top of their league like the seconds, thirds and fourths, it can fairly be said that the more prosaic targets of steady improvement and gutsy performances are being met. Fortunately, there were no injuries during the match but, if there had been, no doubt Dr. Lanning would have been on hand.

Liam Clarke to coach 4th and 5th teams

Bec 4 and 5 will enjoy having Liam Clarke as their Head Coach – Liam is a great asset to the Club, not only as a coach, but his services are truly valued and experienced players and beginners alike will benefit from being coached by him. Liam will be assisted by Michael Grayer (Highbury), a developing coach who we are happy to welcome to the Bec coaching team.